The 5 Commandments of Looking Gorgeous on a Budget

Here's how to save money on your hair, makeup, and nails.

1. Thou shalt use multi-tasking products. One very straightforward way to minimize your beauty expenditures is to use fewer products. Fortunately, more and more products are multi-purpose, so they slim our cosmetics cases without breaking our budgets. Instead of using SPF, moisturizer, anti-aging product, and foundation, try a BB Cream (Beauty Balm Cream), which is a combination of all four.

2. Thou shalt try store brands.A little while back we tested generic-brand beauty products to see how they compare to some name brands. We found that when it comes to body lotions, consumers like the generic kind just as much as big-name brands. Try making substitutions with other simple products like body wash and facial cleansing wipes. But keep in mind that when it comes to products with specific functions, like reducing wrinkles or getting rid of age spots, you're better off sticking with the household names.

3. Thou shalt let other products double as thy eye makeup remover. I wear eye makeup every day, so I go through eye makeup remover pretty quickly, but I hate constantly shelling out money for it. My mother taught me that any basic face cream swiped on with a Q-tip works just as well, and it's a tip I rely on. (It's also a great way to get rid of mid-day eye makeup smudges.) Lately, I've been using store-brand baby shampoo and a washcloth, and it really takes everything off, and quickly, too. Since baby shampoos are "tear-free", I don't get any eye irritation.

4. Thou shalt color thy own hair.Sure, we all love the way we feel when we leave the salon after getting our hair done, but regular visits really add up, especially when it comes to coloring. Luckily for you, we've done rigorous testing at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute to identify the best at-home coloring products. You don't have to convert completely: If you really love the salon pampering, try saving a couple of bucks by using a root touch-up between visits or a demi-permanent color to replace a professional glaze.

5. Thou shalt polish thy own nails.Weekly manicures can make a dent in your budget, so try doing your own nails more often. Once you've mastered the process, you'll wonder why you ever spent time and money at the salon. I polish my own nails about 90% of the time now, and practice has made me almost as skilled as a pro.

Mary Clarke is health and beauty product analyst in the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, testing new technologies, trends and products in every day.

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